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Biomedical subjects

S Vukicević

Publications and source records attributed to S Vukicević.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regeneration of articular cartilage defects in rabbits by osteogenic protein-1 (bone morphogenetic protein-7).

Osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1, BMP-7), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta family, induces cartilage and bone formation when implanted at intra and extraskeletal sites in vivo. The human OP-1 gene has been cloned and biologically active recombinant OP-1 homodimers have been produced. In the present study, the authors investigated the influence of OP-1 on healing of full-thickness articular cartilage defects, made by drilling two adjacent (phi 3mm) holes through articular cartilage of NZW rabbit knee joint were dissected and examined histomorphometrically. Results indicated that OP-1 induced articular cartilage healing and regeneration of the joint surface which contained cells resembling mature joint chondrocytes. These data imply a new strategy for biological repair of damaged joint surfaces in humans.

Animals↗

Effect of pulse Doppler ultrasound on placental hormone excretion in vitro.

There is no literature data on the effects of ultrasound on the metabolism of placental tissue. In the present study, the authors have investigated the possible influence of pulsed field Doppler ultrasound on hormonal excretion of human placental trophoblasts in vitro. For the detection of placental hormones, specific immunoassays for chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), human placental lactogen (hPL), estrogen and progesterone were used. Compared to control trophoblast hormone excretion, pulsed field ultrasound exposure induced no changes in the excretion of the hormones in vitro. The authors were unable to demonstrate any alterations caused by pulsed field Doppler ultrasound in this in vitro model. Additional studies are required to deepen our understanding of the effect of pulsed Doppler ultrasound on other biomolecules and their metabolism.

Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human↗

Discovery and clinical applications of bone morphogenetic proteins.

Significant progress has been made in the characterization of cartilage and bone differentiating proteins. A family of unique proteins known as bone morphogenetic proteins has been described, and there is ample evidence that they are directly responsible for de novo cartilage and bone formation in vivo. Extensive research is underway to develop appropriate and optimal delivery systems based on extracellular matrix components. It is likely that bone morphogenetic proteins will play a crucial role in bone and joint regeneration and repair.

Animals↗

Collagen type IV stimulates an increase in intracellular Ca2+ in pancreatic acinar cells via activation of phospholipase C.

Intracellular Ca2+ responses to extracellular matrix molecules were studied in suspensions of pancreatic acinar cells loaded with Fura-2. Collagen type I, laminin, fibrinogen and fibronectin were unable to raise cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), whereas collagen type IV, at concentrations from 5 to 50 micrograms/ml, significantly increased it. The effect of collagen type IV was not due to possible contamination with type-I transforming growth factor beta or plasminogen, as neither of these agents was able to increase [Ca2+]i. Using highly specific mass assays, concentrations of inositol lipids, 1,2-diacylglycerol (DAG) and Ins(1,4,5) P3 were measured in pancreatic acinar cells stimulated with collagen type IV. A decrease in the concentrations of PtdIns(4,5) P2 and PtdIns4 P with a concomitant increase in the concentrations of DAG and InsP3 mass were observed, showing that collagen type IV increases [Ca2+]i by activation of phospholipase C. The observed [Ca2+]i signals had two components, the first resulting from Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores, and the second resulting from Ca2+ flux from the extracellular medium through the verapamil-insensitive channels. A tyrosine kinase inhibitor (tyrphostine) was able to block inositol lipid signalling caused by collagen type IV, which together with the insensitivity of this pathway to cholera toxin and pertussis toxin or to preactivation of protein kinase C, the longer duration of the increase in [Ca2+]i and a longer lag period needed for observation of increases in DAG and InsP3 concentration with collagen type IV than with carbachol (50 mM) suggest that activation of phospholipase C by collagen type IV is caused by tyrosine kinase activation. Inositol lipid signalling and increases in [Ca2+]i were also observed with Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing peptide but not with Arg-Asp-Gly (RDG)-containing peptide. Collagen type IV and RGD-containing peptide, but not carbachol, competed in increasing [Ca2+]i and DAG concentration, suggesting that the binding site of collagen type IV responsible for phospholipase C activation contains the RGD sequence. Together the present results suggest that, in pancreatic acinar cells, RGD sequence(s) within collagen type IV molecules cause activation of tyrosine kinase, probably through one of the integrin receptors, which then stimulates phospholipase C and increases [Ca2+]i.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The role of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the generation of acute phase response and bone loss in rats and talc granulomatosis.

BACKGROUND: Trabecular bone loss is the part of acute-phase response (APR) in rats with subcutaneous granulomatous inflammation induced by talc. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We investigated the possible involvement of inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the pathogenesis of bone loss and other aspects of APR. Intraperitoneal administration of specific neutralizing antibodies to TNF-alpha or of recombinant cytokine indicated that TNF-alpha was the primary mediator of bone changes, evidence as slower bone elongation rate, bone marrow hyperplasia, and decreased trabecular bone volume and osteoblast number in tibial metaphysis. RESULTS: Moreover, direct intraosseal administration of anti-TNF-alpha antibody neutralized the effect of inflammation on bone. On the other hand, the serum indices of the APR (decreased zinc and iron concentrations, ACTH and C-reactive protein concentration) were not greatly affected after the administration of anti-TNF antibody, except for the normalization of the hypercupremia and weight loss. CONCLUSIONS: The data presented in this report demonstrated direct involvement of TNF-alpha in the generation of bone alterations during the development of APR in rats with talc granulomatosis.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the generation of the acute-phase response in rats with talc-induced granulomatosis.

Subcutaneous injection of nonspecific irritants such as magnesium silicate (talc) provokes granulomatous inflammation in the rat. Part of the acute phase response (APR) in these animals is the loss of trabecular bone at sites distant from the site of inflammation. To assess the possible involvement of vitamin D in the bone loss, we studied the development of the acute phase response in vitamin D-deprived rats. The serum APR provoked by subcutaneous inflammation in rachitic rats consisted of hypozincemia, hypercupremia, increased alkaline phosphatase activity and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) concentration, and was similar to that in control animals except for the absence of hypoferremia. Control rats with talc-induced subcutaneous inflammation also had splenomegaly and decreased total and mononuclear peripheral blood cell counts, while subcutaneous inflammation did not induce spleen changes in rachitic rats. Subcutaneous inflammation induced the loss of trabecular bone and decreased the osteoblastic cell count in tibial metaphyses in control animals. Rachitic rats had abundant osteoid on trabecular surfaces, and the number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts was comparable to that of the controls. Subcutaneous inflammation did not affect any of the bone parameters in rachitic rats. These results indicate that vitamin D plays an important role in the generation of the acute phase response during inflammation, particularly in the induction of spleen and bone cell changes. The discrepancy of the blood on one hand and bone and spleen indices of the APR on the other, indicate that they may be divergent pathways in the generation of the inflammatory response, some of which may be dependent on vitamin D.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

New bone induction by demineralized bone matrix in immunosuppressed rats.

Subcutaneous implantation of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) initiates a sequence of developmental events which culminate in endochondral bone formation. To test the effects of T-cell deficiency on new bone formation, the morphology of DBM-induced bone was examined in rats thymectomized at three weeks of age and in thymectomized or nonthymectomized rats lethally irradiated and reconstituted with syngeneic bone marrow. At 24 days after implantation, bone induction in control rats was appropriate for their age, while thymectomized-irradiated-reconstituted rats and thymectomized rats had significantly more new bone and larger bone marrow space than the controls. In non-thymectomized, irradiated and reconstituted rats, bone induction occurred in only 25% of the animals, compared to 95% in other groups.

Age Factors↗

Reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) promotes the survival and influences the growth of murine tumors.

The effects of reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel) on in vivo survival and growth of several murine tumors were studied. Survival of tumor cells was enhanced in all experiments which resulted in increased incidence and/or in increased tumor mass. While basement membrane enhanced the in vivo growth of B16F6 melanoma cells, survival of these mice was prolonged. Basement membrane increased the incidence but reduced the growth of Ehrlich ascites tumor. Walker-256 hypercalcemic breast carcinosarcoma growth was enhanced and glandular-like structures were observed when grown on Matrigel. The results indicate that the enhanced survival of tumor cells in the presence of basement membrane is not unequivocally linked with increased malignancy.

Animals↗

Distribution of structural and trace elements in human temporal bone.

This study was undertaken to evaluate a systematic analysis of mineral and trace elements of individual functionally determined parts of adult temporal bone. Marked differences were observed in basic structural elements (Ca, P, Mg, and Zn) among different bone regions. The more so, molar Ca/P ratio was significantly different in various regions, being highest in the hammer and vestibular regions. Taxonomic analysis revealed specific differences in the mineral ratio between the two petrous bone regions believed to develop from various embryonal bases. According to results, the observed differences in mineral trace element composition of particular regions of human temporal bone might be explained by their developmental specificities and functional adaptation.

Adult↗

Acute zinc deficiency and trabecular bone loss in rats with talc granulomatosis.

Subcutaneous inflammation induced by magnesium silicate (talc) leads to the suppression of bone elongation, osteoblast insufficiency, and subsequent bone loss in rats. Since bone and immunological changes in talc granulomatosis are similar to those observed in zinc deficiency, we investigated the kinetics of zinc tissue distribution and the effects of zinc supplementation on the development of bone loss in rats with talc-induced inflammation. Decrease in serum zinc concentration was observed between 5 and 15 h in rats with talc granulomatosis. It was paralleled by the accumulation of zinc in the liver and rapid disappearance of osteoblasts from the trabecular bone surfaces. However, talc-injected rats supplemented parenterally and orally with zinc sulfate exhibited a decrease in osteoblast trabecular surface comparable to that of unsupplemented rats bearing granulomas despite normalized serum zinc concentrations. Zinc supplementation slightly increased osteoblast trabecular surface in all supplemented groups, but this effect was not significant. We conclude that zinc is the earliest indicator of the acute-phase response in rats with talc granulomatosis. Although zinc appears to be important for the normal function of bone cells, there is no causative relationship between acute zinc deficiency and decreased osteoblast number and activity in rats with talc granulomatosis.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

In vivo models in the study of osteopenias.

A better insight into bone pathophysiology is required for a full understanding of the mechanisms leading to bone loss in humans. Animal models of bone disease appear to be the most valuable for this purpose. Certain differences in bone metabolism exist between various species. Non-human primates are the most human-compatible animal species, whereas dogs appear to be most appropriate among small laboratory animals. However, the high cost of studies on primates and dogs restricts the number of animals examined. The rat is the most frequently used animal. Many similarities have been observed in bone metabolism of humans and rats. Like humans, rats also lose bone with aging, and in some parts of the rat skeleton bone remodelling occurs. However, bone metabolism in rat is mainly characterized by growth and modelling, which makes the rat model completely appropriate for studies of juvenile osteopenias. Characteristics of animal models of osteopenias should be comprehensively investigated in order to render the study results completely, or with known exceptions, comparable to the corresponding processes in humans.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

Decreased osteoinductive potential of bone matrix from ovariectomized rats.

The effect of estrogen deficiency on matrix-induced bone formation was investigated. Female rats were ovariectomized and given demineralized bone matrix (DBM) intramuscularly 3 weeks before termination. The DBM was taken from previously ovariectomized and from sham-operated on rats. The animals were killed at various times after ovariectomy (6-27 weeks). Implants were processed undemineralized for histologic and biochemical studies. Normal DBM implanted in ovariectomized or normal rats induced extensive bone formation 6 weeks postovariectomy. The amount of newly formed bone decreased with the age of host rats. Bone matrix taken from ovariectomized rats was incompletely resorbed in both ovariectomized and normal hosts, therefore reducing the extent of osteogenesis and bone-marrow formation. Instead, chondrogenesis was intensive, but delayed. The calcium, magnesium, and zinc contents were decreased in implants taken from ovariectomized rats when compared with implants taken from normal animals. Normal osteoinduction with DBM taken from normal rats and implanted in ovariectomized rats and the absence of osteogenesis with DBM taken from ovariectomized rats indicate that an estrogen-deficient environment is not crucial for altered matrix-induced endochondral bone formation in ovariectomized rats. An altered composition of matrix from ovariectomized rats and a subsequent abnormality in the cell-matrix interaction should be considered responsible.

Animals↗

Holographic analysis of the human pelvis.

Twelve fresh human pelves with preserved lumbar spines, hip joints, and ligaments, were tested by double-exposure and sandwich-hologram interferometry. During physiologic loadings (50-300 N), the pelvis moved as a whole downward and backward. Iliac wings exhibited marked undulation, except for the central part, which showed minor deformations. The sacrum moved downward and rotated forward over an axis 5-9 cm below the promontorium. Removal of the sacroiliac interosseous ligaments eliminated all joint movements and caused a tighter contact between articular surfaces. Removal of the sacrotuberous and sacrospinous ligaments had no influence on the pelvic behavior. The magnitudes of deformations as well as their underlying mineral contents were unequally distributed between the two pelvic sides. These results indicate that the sacroiliac interosseous ligaments are the main determinant of sacral movement. Asymmetric load transmittance to the hip joints might be responsible for the mineral content differences between the pelvic sides.

Adult↗

Talc granulomatosis in the rat. Involvement of bone in the acute-phase response.

We investigated the dynamics of the acute-phase response (APR) and osteoblast trabecular surface in rats with subcutaneous inflammation provoked by magnesium silicate (talc). The first visible indicator of the APR was a rapid and profound hypozincemia, paralleled by a decrease in metaphyseal trabecular surfaces covered with osteoblasts in long bones. Both the intensity of serum APR and the decrease in osteoblast trabecular surface were directly proportional to the number of granulomas. Alterations in bone metabolism were specific for the inflammation, whereas mild hypozincemia and decrease in mononuclear and increase in polymorphonuclear peripheral white blood cell fractions developed in animals pair-fed with rats bearing two or four granulomas. Rats with talc granulomatosis had high serum ACTH and corticosterone levels, but neither adrenalectomy nor high doses of hydrocortisone could revert bone alterations in talc-injected animals. Glucocorticoids were necessary for the development of hypozincemia and hypercupremia seen in talc granulomatosis, as well as for normal bone metabolism. Inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis had no effect on bone alterations and serum APR in rats bearing talc-induced granulomas. We conclude that the decrease in bone formation constitutes an important aspect of the host acute-phase response in a rat model of talc granulomatosis.

Acute-Phase Reaction↗

Effects of parathyroidectomy on tissue calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper concentrations in aluminum-loaded uremic rats.

Rats were subjected to a two-stage 5/6 nephrectomy and treated with Al for 2 and 4 wk with a cumulative dose of 4.2 and 8.4 mg of Al, respectively. Other animals were parathyrectomized (PTx) and loaded with 8.4 mg of Al for 4 wk. Total Al, Ca, P, Mg, and Cu contents were analyzed in the liver, kidney, and bone by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results showed that Al given to growing uremic rats significantly increased the content of Al in the liver, kidney, and bone. Moreover, Al treatment increased the liver and kidney Ca levels and decreased the Ca and P values in bone. Previous parathyroidectomy significantly reduced Al accumulation within organs and changes in the Ca and P levels in the bone, liver, and kidney. The result was not influenced by different degrees of renal failure.

Aluminum↗

The influence of early parathyroidectomy on aluminum-induced rickets in growing uremic rats.

Rats were subjected to a two-stage 5/6 nephrectomy and treated with aluminum for 2 and 4 weeks with a cumulative dose of 4.2 and 8.4 mg of aluminum, respectively. Other animals were parathyroidectomized and loaded with 8.4 mg of aluminum for 4 weeks. Histomorphometry and electron microscopy (tibiae), aluminum tissue (bone, kidney, liver) determination, serum (Ca, Mg, Zn, P, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, 1,25(OH)2D3, PTH) and urine (creatinine, A1) revealed that: (a) a dose of 8.4 mg aluminum was sufficient to induce rickets within 4 weeks of treatment and was associated with decreased serum calcitriol values and high aluminum accumulation within organs (electron-dense material was found in osteoblasts only); (b) previous parathyroidectomy prevented the occurrence of any aluminum-induced alteration of bone. It was associated with higher calcitriol and phosphorus values than in corresponding non-parathyroidectomized rats and significantly reduced aluminum accumulation within organs. The results was influenced neither by a drop in serum calcium values nor by different degrees of renal failure. We suggest that aluminum-induced rickets in growing uremic rats is prevented or delayed when previous parathyroidectomy has been performed.

Aluminum↗

Aluminium accumulates on inactive bone surfaces after parathyroidectomy in uremic rats.

In recent studies on bone biopsies of long-term hemodialyzed patients, parathyroidectomy (PTx) has been shown to represent a risk factor for subsequent accumulation of aluminium (Al) in the bone. Therefore, the influence of late PTx on Al metabolism in uremic rats previously given 11 mg Al intraperitoneally during a period of four weeks was studied. Al content was determined in the blood, liver, bone and feces 7 and 14 days after PTx. During PTx, each animal also received 2 intramuscular implants of partially demineralized bone matrix cylinders, which served as inactive bone surfaces. In PTx animals, the Al content in the liver, spleen and kidney progressively decreased, while its blood levels increased in spite of the fact that the treatment was stopped. Bone values remained unchanged but Al markedly accumulated on inactive mineralized surfaces of implanted cylinders. Significant amounts of Al in fecal masses could indicate its biliary excretion. The results were influenced neither by changes in 1,25-(OH)2D3 or serum calcium values, nor by different degrees of renal failure after PTx. It is suggested that accumulation of Al in the bone after PTx, as found in dialyzed patients, constitutes a passive event triggered by inactive bone tissue.

Aluminum↗

New bone formation in autologous membranous bone transplanted into the anterior abdominal wall.

During a gross anatomy dissection, a piece of the calvarial bone was found between aponeuroses of the anterior abdominal wall in an 82-year-old male cadaver. It corresponded closely in size to the calvarial defect after the neurosurgery performed 5 years before death, showing that very little resorption had occurred over the years. Moreover, 13 percent of the transplant was new bone, indicating that membranous bone can, in the long term, induce new bone formation in humans.

Abdominal Muscles↗